What's happening
This bill directs a study on whether New York should change the compulsory school attendance age for minors.
Why it matters
Potential impact on families and children. By studying the social, emotional, and educational appropriateness of New York’s current compulsory attendance age, the state could consider how starting school earlier or later may affect child development, family routines, and readiness for formal learning.
Possible changes for kindergarten entry cutoffs. The study will specifically look at whether to adjust the required age for starting school, including for children who turn five after September 1, which could shift when many children begin kindergarten and impact early childhood education planning.
Implications for prekindergarten and related services. The bill requires an examination of what educational programs and services would be available to children who are not yet subject to compulsory attendance if the age cutoff is changed, raising questions about access to pre-K and support for younger learners.
Stakeholder involvement in shaping policy. The mandate for consulting educators, parents, and other stakeholders means any recommendations could reflect a wider range of perspectives, potentially leading to more broadly supported and effective education policy changes.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Study School Attendance Age
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Vetoed memo.186
- Delivered to governor
- Returned to senate
- Passed assembly
- Ordered to third reading rules cal.602
- Substituted for A7559A
- Referred to ways and means
- Delivered to assembly
- Passed senateVote 54–8
- Ordered to third reading cal.1572
- Committee discharged and committed to rules
- Print number 5863a
Show 2 earlier actions
- Amend and recommit to education
- Referred to education
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Study School Attendance Age
Assembly Floor Calendar · Sponsor Patricia Fahy
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
5863--A
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
May 15, 2019
Introduced by Sen. JACKSON -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Education -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee
AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to directing a study on the feasibility of adjusting the compulsory attendance age of minors attending full time instruction
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 305 of the education law is amended by adding a new subdivision 60 to read as follows:
60. On or before July first, two thousand twenty-one, the commissioner shall conduct a study on the feasibility of adjusting the compulsory attendance age for when minors shall attend full time instruction and deliver a report of the findings and recommendations based on such findings to the governor, the temporary president of the senate, and the speaker of the assembly. The commissioner shall consult with educators, parents, and other stakeholders to conduct a study which shall include, but not be limited to:
(a) the social, emotional, and educational appropriateness of the state's compulsory attendance age for when minors shall attend full time instruction;
(b) the appropriateness and feasibility of adjusting the age of required attendance to start school in New York state to minors who become five years of age after the first of September in any school year; and
(c) the educational programs and services available to minors who would otherwise be enrolled in prekindergarten pursuant to an adjustment in the state's compulsory attendance age.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD11122-03-9
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the education law, in relation to directing a study on the feasibility of adjusting the compulsory attend- ance age of minors attending full time instruction
Purpose or general idea of bill
Directs a study on the feasibility of adjusting the compulsory attend- ance age of minors attending fulltime instruction
Summary of specific provisions
Section 1 amends section 305 of state education law, adding new subdivi- sion 60. Directs the commissioner of the state department of education to conduct a study regarding the feasibility of adjusting the compulsory attendance age for instruction.
Section 2 sets the effective date
Justification
Children who are four when they begin Kindergarten are often too young developmentally for a kindergarten education program and struggle academically as a result. The negative impact of having a poor start to their education may be long lasting and can affect their future academic progress.
This legislation the commissioner of the New York State Department of Education to study the feasibility of adjusting the age a minor is required to be in order to begin attending school. In New York State, children are not required by law to attend school until age six and currently must turn six before December 1st.
Though New York State law states that children must begin school by age six, most school districts provide a kindergarten program to five year olds or children about to turn five. Many children who turn five after September 1st are not as ready for school developmentally, as compared to children who turn five before September 1st and, as a result, suffer long term educational challenges.
Studying the ability of the state to shift the age requirements will help state education officials anticipate the needs and challenges of bringing start ages in line with our present understanding of educa- tional development.
Prior legislative history
A7559/ S5863 Amended 2019
Fiscal implications
To be determined
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately after it shall have become a law
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.